I feel I've been very lucky through all my life. I'm a successful software engineer, who's been working for one of the best employers (Google) for over eight years now. I'm mom of two wonderful kids. I would like to give back to the community and help other women to develop to their full potential.
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannachwastowska Joanna Chwastowska is a Software Engineer with a lot of passion for life. She has worked with Google for the past 8 years, based out of Cracow, Poland. An expert in website and mobile development, Joanna has launched the Play Store for Google TV, designed and launched Google Feedback, and co-launched innovative music-detection solutions for live shows such as American Idol. A mom of two, she enjoys inventing solutions for real problems. Joanna considers herself a very lucky and accomplished person, and finds happiness in helping others to be happy too. I am passionate about sharing knowledge to help women and girls in less privileged environments. I have seen the positive impact of the TW program so I know WAKE will have that same kind of ripple effect in the countries it serves. I love traveling to new destinations with the emphasis on helping others.
Eileen Brewer is the Director of the Security of Appliance Team at Symantic. She is also a professional Mentor for TechWomen Program that connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in STEM fields. Eileen is passionate about human rights, poverty alleviation, education and economic empowerment and has been an active speaker, moderator and panel member.
I want to empower fellow women to be drivers of their own destiny. The more tools and skills we can provide women the more they can do this. When a woman learns, a community evolves.
Galen Bepler is an independent consultant in the area of CRM systems, Software as a Service for remote team collaboration and achievement of business goals, and French/English translation. Galen holds a M.A in international commercial policy with a specialization in French language from Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, a B.A. in French Literature and Translation from Barnard College of Columbia University, and a Certificate in French Affairs with Honors from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, hiking, reading and writing, and hosting dogs through DogVacay!
Two years ago, I began consulting with a domestic violence shelter in San Francisco. Helping these incredible women acquire and implement the technology and services they need to do their critical work has been so rewarding and inspiring. I‘m excited to broaden my support of NGOs by joining WAKE in the Ukraine!
Amy Hood is the Information Technology Director for the BRS Group in the Bay Area. Her work focuses on the acquisition and installation of equipment and networks, and training personnel to use these updated technologies. She is passionate about anticipating technology needs, researching new technologies, and integrating them into the company in a seamless work stream. Amy has also been consulting with the Asian Women’s Shelter for the past 2 years where she has effectively created a practical office technology plan. Amy’s unique skills to relate and train people in an enjoyable, patient, and professional manner have been the key to her success. Beyond computer technology, Amy’s passions include her family, community-building, soccer, music, food, coffee and travel.
MASTER TRAINER Beth is an internationally recognized trainer and has worked with thousands of nonprofits around the world.
Beth Kanter has over 30 years working in the nonprofit sector in technology, training, capacity building, evaluation, fundraising, and marketing. Beth is an internationally recognized trainer who has developed and implemented effective sector capacity building programs that help organizations integrate social media, network building, and relationship marketing best practices. Beth is an expert in facilitating online and offline peer learning, curriculum development based on traditional adult learning theory, and other instructional approaches. She has trained thousands of nonprofits around the world.
UKRAINE PARTNERS Olesya has been working in resolving urgent development issues and promoting social innovation and activism.
Olesya Bondar has eight years of experience in development work. She is the Director of the Ukrainian Women Fund. For five years she worked as the program coordinator at the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation) office in Ukraine. She helped to organize a joint project with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to support practical cross-border sharing of best practices in resolving urgent development issues and promoting social innovation and activism. Since 2000, Olesya has been working in the area of women's rights-first as the women's program coordinator of the OSI in Ukraine, then as a program coordinator at the Ukrainian Women's Fund (UWF). Olesya holds a Masters degree in foreign languages (German) and finances. She has represented Ukraine in many international conferences on women's rights, including AWID, and she has coauthored two articles dedicated to women's rights.
Natalia has been working for civil society development and women’s rights.
Natalia Karbowska has more than 18 years of experience in development work. She has been working in the area of civil society development and women’s rights first as the Women’s Program Director of the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation) in Ukraine, then as the Director of Women’s Economic Empowerment Project at Winrock International and presently as Deputy Director of the “Healthy women of Ukraine” Program. Natalia is a Board Chair of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. Under her leadership the Fund has provided more than 1,5 million USD in grants to women’s rights NGOs in Ukraine and neighbor countries – Moldova and Belarus. Natalia holds a master’s degree in economics and bachelor degree in computer science. She has represented Ukraine on many international conferences and has participated in many training programs. Natalia is a member of gender advisory council of Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and Board member of International Gender Policy Network.
Meet WAKE's Tech2Empower Team:
Ukraine 2015
TECH ADVISERS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannachwastowska
Joanna Chwastowska is a Software Engineer with a lot of passion for life. She has worked with Google for the past 8 years, based out of Cracow, Poland. An expert in website and mobile development, Joanna has launched the Play Store for Google TV, designed and launched Google Feedback, and co-launched innovative music-detection solutions for live shows such as American Idol. A mom of two, she enjoys inventing solutions for real problems. Joanna considers herself a very lucky and accomplished person, and finds happiness in helping others to be happy too.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/eileenbrewer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tothelefteileen
Eileen Brewer is the Director of the Security of Appliance Team at Symantic. She is also a professional Mentor for TechWomen Program that connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in STEM fields. Eileen is passionate about human rights, poverty alleviation, education and economic empowerment and has been an active speaker, moderator and panel member.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/galenbepler
Galen Bepler is an independent consultant in the area of CRM systems, Software as a Service for remote team collaboration and achievement of business goals, and French/English translation. Galen holds a M.A in international commercial policy with a specialization in French language from Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, a B.A. in French Literature and Translation from Barnard College of Columbia University, and a Certificate in French Affairs with Honors from the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, hiking, reading and writing, and hosting dogs through DogVacay!
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hoodamy
Amy Hood is the Information Technology Director for the BRS Group in the Bay Area. Her work focuses on the acquisition and installation of equipment and networks, and training personnel to use these updated technologies. She is passionate about anticipating technology needs, researching new technologies, and integrating them into the company in a seamless work stream. Amy has also been consulting with the Asian Women’s Shelter for the past 2 years where she has effectively created a practical office technology plan. Amy’s unique skills to relate and train people in an enjoyable, patient, and professional manner have been the key to her success. Beyond computer technology, Amy’s passions include her family, community-building, soccer, music, food, coffee and travel.
MASTER TRAINER
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethkanter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KANTER
Beth Kanter has over 30 years working in the nonprofit sector in technology, training, capacity building, evaluation, fundraising, and marketing. Beth is an internationally recognized trainer who has developed and implemented effective sector capacity building programs that help organizations integrate social media, network building, and relationship marketing best practices. Beth is an expert in facilitating online and offline peer learning, curriculum development based on traditional adult learning theory, and other instructional approaches. She has trained thousands of nonprofits around the world.
UKRAINE PARTNERS
Olesya has been working in resolving urgent development issues and promoting social innovation and activism.
Olesya Bondar has eight years of experience in development work. She is the Director of the Ukrainian Women Fund. For five years she worked as the program coordinator at the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation) office in Ukraine. She helped to organize a joint project with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to support practical cross-border sharing of best practices in resolving urgent development issues and promoting social innovation and activism. Since 2000, Olesya has been working in the area of women's rights-first as the women's program coordinator of the OSI in Ukraine, then as a program coordinator at the Ukrainian Women's Fund (UWF). Olesya holds a Masters degree in foreign languages (German) and finances. She has represented Ukraine in many international conferences on women's rights, including AWID, and she has coauthored two articles dedicated to women's rights.
Natalia has been working for civil society development and women’s rights.
Natalia Karbowska has more than 18 years of experience in development work. She has been working in the area of civil society development and women’s rights first as the Women’s Program Director of the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation) in Ukraine, then as the Director of Women’s Economic Empowerment Project at Winrock International and presently as Deputy Director of the “Healthy women of Ukraine” Program. Natalia is a Board Chair of the Ukrainian Women’s Fund. Under her leadership the Fund has provided more than 1,5 million USD in grants to women’s rights NGOs in Ukraine and neighbor countries – Moldova and Belarus. Natalia holds a master’s degree in economics and bachelor degree in computer science. She has represented Ukraine on many international conferences and has participated in many training programs. Natalia is a member of gender advisory council of Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and Board member of International Gender Policy Network.